More First Nations bound Oxy's seized

Oxycontin continues to be the drug of choice to smuggle on to First Nations communities in the northwest. Police say that they recently busted 2 women at the Thunder Bay airport with trying to smuggle 268 thousand dollars worth of Oxy's to the Weagamow First Nation. In an unrelated bust 3 people in the city are charged after a raid at a Hargrave Street home. They face drug and weapons related charges.

New officers sworn in

The city police now have five new officers. They've just completed their stint at Ontario Police College and are ready to go according to Deputy Police Chief J-P Levesques.  He says they'll begin in the new year at which time 5 more recruits will be sent to police college and will graduate in March.  He says this is the time to apply for the force since they are seeing a high rate of retirement.

KI to DeBeers-take a hike!

It's a no go for De Beers.  KI First Nation has sent the diamond company a letter saying they can't look for diamonds around their community.  Chief Donny Morris says they're just trying to organize themselves.  De Beers wants to look for diamonds around the community this summer, but Morris says the community won't be ready by that time.

LU hopes for dividends from invention

Researchers at Lakehead University have developed a concrete idea. It's an additive which makes cement stronger. It's partnered with a company called GreenCentre Canada to help get it to market. Spokesperson Rui Resendes says it's got the potential to revolutionize the cement industry.  The additive is now being taken to it's next stage of development in Southern Ontario.

Christmas Cheer is nearing its goal

We're getting close but there still a little ways to go. Christmas Cheer Chair Linda Gambee says the community has made a tremendous push over the last few days and their food donation goal has been met. Gambee says as of this morning they were still 50 thousand dollars short of their 165 thousand dollar goal.

Burned toast results in fire call

Burned toast resulted in Fire and Emergency vehicles swarming a south end condo Friday A.M.   The apartment building across from City Hall had a false alarm triggering crews to respond.

More details surrounding Oliver Paipoonge muder suicide

The situation surrounding Sunday's Murder Suicide continues to unfold this morning.  Reports say Joseph Lavoie was court ordered to stay away from Antoinette following an assault last August.  The court also seized Mr Lavoie's 5 firearms.  The weapon used in the murder was unregistered and at this point it isn't known where the gun came from.  Its also unknown why Antoinette was back living with Joseph prior to Sunday's tragedy. 

Overnight stabbing leaves two in hopsital

A man and a woman are in hospital this morning after being stabbed. City police were called to McGillivary Street around 11 o'clock last night with the reports of a stabbing. Officers arrested a 29 year old man who will appear in court today. The two victims received non life threatening injuries.

Crime Prevention Council meets

Representatives from all walks of life took part in the inaugral Crime Prevention Council meeting Thursday night.  Mayor Keith Hobbs told the committee that police can't keep up with the crime in the City. Meanwhile, Councillor Rebecca Johnson says there are no quick fixes. The committee is made up of 32 representatives ranging from education, aboriginals, police, and social planning organizations.   The first task of the crime prevention council is to conduct an crime audit.

Man shoots bear illegally

A Colorado man has been fined 25-hundred dollars for shooting a black bear without a valid licence near Fort Frances.  Levi Larsen is banned from hunting in Ontario for a year after he was fined for unlawfully hunting a black bear, possessing a void licence and exporting the bear out of Ontario without a permit.  Court heard that Larsen tried to purchase a non-resident hunting licence on a number of occassions, but was denied by the Ministry of Natural Resources.  However, Larsen persisted and purchased a licence in another location and went on to shoot a bear.

Dryden seize many guns

Dryden Police have released details surrounding the Monday firearms seizure at a Park Crescent home. Detective-Sergeant Anne Tkachyk says the investigation didn't originate from this area. Brandon RCMP have scheduled a News Conference for 1 o'clock Monday afternoon in Winnipeg to unveil more details surrounding this investigation. Officers seized long guns, handguns, switch-blade knives and high capacity magazines.

Heroes recognized for lifesaving

L to R-Major, Miniachi, Tallon

Three TBayTel employees are now recognized for their lifesaving  efforts.   They helped pull some people from a  vehicle that later burst into flames following a traffic accident.  Joseph Miniachi credits the manditory courses they take.  St. John Ambulance presented awards to Miniachi, along with Peter Major and Ken Tallon.  

Changes on the way to Outdoors licences

The New Year will bring changes to the way we get our fishing and hunting licenses.  The Ministry of Natural Resources is moving the current paper system to an automated one.  Spokesperson Burton McClelland says the changes will benefit residents, Americans, and MNR staff.  The pilot part of the project will start this Summer, with all of the Province on the new system by the Fall.

OPP car ruined

Upsala OPP are down a vehicle after responding to a transport that caught fire on Highway 17.  The officer was investigating, when two east bound tractor trailer units approached the scene.  The first transport pulled out and went around the police car, the second did not and struck the empty car.  The vehicle was totalled and the investigation continues.

Flu Shot numbers in

Just over 10-thousand people in Thunder Bay took the time to get a flu shot.  The health unit's Darlene Binette says the numbers have yet to be finalized.  Binette says the H1N1 scare may have contributed to more people getting their flu shots last year. It's not too late to get a flu shot. You can still get one by appointment at the health unit office.

The Northern's are inching closer

Organizers of the Northern Ontario men's curling championship are trying to draw your attention to the event.  It's being held at the Fort William Curling Club in February.  Co-chair Kris Woznesensky hopes it'll rekindle an interest in curling in the city.   It's expected to also generate about 135 thousand dollars towards the local economy.  The winner of the event will represent Northern Ontario at the Brier in London in March.

Elizabeth Fry and John Howard share $

Thunder Bay's two prison reform organizations are benefiting from taxpayer funding through the Trillium Foundation. The John Howard Society is getting almost 100 thousand dollars to help out with a homelessness program they run. The Elizabeth Fry Society is getting 22 thousand to hire someone to fund raise.

Police are conducting an internal review after murder suicide

The head of a local women's shelter is calling for better police protocols dealing with domestic abuse.  The call comes from Debbie Zweep at Faye Peterson's Transition house after a murder suicide last week in Oliver Paipoonge.  Zweep says police officers released Joseph Lavoie after the first domestic assault occurred.  Zweep adds the first case wasn't handled as it normally is.  Meanwhile Thunder Bay Police say they will be conducting an internal review of how the first assault case was handled.  Police Spokesperson Chris Adams says police won't be commenting until after the review is completed which should take until early January.

Confederation College launches fundraising campaign

Confederation College students will soon be getting a state of the art learning facility. The College launched a fundraising campaign for the REACH building with a 250 thousand dollar contribution for a new Dental Clinic. President Pat Lang says the building will give students an edge with top of the line hands on learning.

Police nab two for impaired driving

City police are investigating a two for one impaired accident this morning.  Police at around 2:30 a pick up lost control at the corner of Rowand and Simpson street and hit a lamp post, decorative bell and a house.  Officers say the driver couldn't get the vehicle free so the passenger started driving the truck.  Officers arrested a man and woman and charged them with impaired driving.